Fuel economy (again)

[Dallas]

When I ran my trucks, I didn't much worry about tank to tank fuel mileage, except in a passing manner.
What was important was the quarterly fuel mileage and the yearly fuel mileage.
There are too many variables in terrain and even in fuel bought from one fuel stop to the next.

Of course this was in trucks that ran 100,000 to 200,000 miles a year.

Using the quarterly fuel mileages I could tell what kind of driver I had behind the wheel, how much "Cowboying" he did, and even if he had a habit of going off route by very much.
Using yearly mileage I could decide how much fuel bonus to pay based on as little as 1/10 mpg.

Since we aren't running hard and long with our buses, the yearly may not mean much, but the average over a number of trips certainly will.

Dallas

                      GO BUSSING!

[Gary '79 5C]

Jack,
I think that you and a few others hit it on the head, with the speed factor. I am not retired and ahve a 5C w/ 6V92TA large injectors. I run at 70 from NJ to FLA. 1200 miles @ 6.7 mpg. I need to start earlier and drive longer legs all at 60 MPH. I think that is really a big factor. I understand hills and mountains out west will detract from milage. But speed is a killer as well.
P.S. I have a 4 spd auto Allison, but nowhere near the mileage of the Eagle 10 NorKal is running. I must be 5,000 lbs lighter as well.

Good Luck All, from NJ with $ 2.52 / gal.

Gary

[JimC]

I have a 4106 with 8V71 and a 730 automatic trans. I averaged 7.6 mpg last year, with two trips getting 8.1 . As Jack said, it depends on how much of a hurry I am in more than anything else.
Jim